Workplace Negativity
In this article, we will look at Workplace Negativity and what we can do to prevent it. We’ll cover what signs to look for, how to combat it, and the importance of a code of conduct. You’ll also discover the impact that workplace negativity can have on employee morale.
Signs of workplace negativity
Workplace negativity is a very real problem that can have a negative impact on employees and your company. It can lead to decreased productivity and absenteeism, complaints and rumors that spread through your office, and it can even affect the culture of your organization. In fact, workplace negativity costs businesses approximately $3 billion each year. And what’s worse, it’s contagious.
The first signs of a toxic work environment aren’t always obvious. Initially, you might question whether the conditions are actually affecting you, and you may even complain about your work environment. This type of toxic atmosphere can worsen over time, which is why it’s so important to take action as soon as possible.
When coworkers become overly irritable and annoyed, their conversations begin to veer towards complaints. These conversations typically revolve around personal conflicts, rather than operational issues. The phrase “I can’t stand” starts to appear more often. A list of coworkers can be made of individuals they’ve become annoyed by, including the leader of the company.
Ways to combat it
There are many ways to combat workplace negativity. The best way is to treat people with fairness and respect, and to practice the Golden Rule. In doing so, you can foster an environment that promotes positive morale and culture. Try the following techniques to improve your own workplace culture. Keep in mind that many of these strategies can only work if you implement them consistently.
Start by encouraging employees to express their concerns. Encourage them to direct their concerns to human resources or the company manager, and tell them that they will be addressed. In addition, organize fun team-building events. For example, Aaron Skonnard, CEO of the online learning company Pluralsight, hosts monthly happy hours and holiday parties.
Workplace negativity is not only detrimental to a company’s productivity and morale, but it can affect the mental well-being of employees, as well. Employees can affect each other’s morale, so leaders should work to improve their team morale.
Impact on employee morale
One of the biggest ways to boost employee morale is to create a positive workplace environment. A study by Peakon showed that one-third of employees would change jobs if their workplace was not positive. In addition, 24% of employees would quit if they were unhappy with their workplace culture. Workplace negativity also hurts a company’s bottom line. According to one study, negative work cultures cost companies up to $3 billion per year.
Often, workplace negativity is caused by individual employees who are dissatisfied with their work. They can disrupt the work environment and cause delays, inaccuracies, and missed deadlines. If you notice such behavior in an employee, give them a second chance by giving them feedback and opportunities to improve. It is always better to offer praise and opportunities to grow than to criticize an employee.
If your workplace is full of negative employees, you can prevent it by making sure the company has a strict code of conduct that is communicated to all members of the organization. The code of conduct should be widely distributed and enforced. Employees should also be made aware of it when they are hired. In addition, the negative employees should be made accountable or even fired if they refuse to change their behavior. Employees’ insight is crucial in understanding workplace negativity and the best way to obtain this is by offering a safe place for employees to express their feelings. Otherwise, employees may feel uncomfortable about expressing their concerns, which will only lead to resentment.
Importance of a code of conduct
Workplace negativity can affect employees’ work and morale. It can even affect managers’ ability to manage the problem. In fact, more than one-third of managers have threatened to fire someone for being rude. Furthermore, 25% of employees quit due to a negative work environment. This suggests that even a small number of negative employees can lead to a toxic work environment.
Negativity is a serious problem that can have negative effects on a company’s performance and productivity. It can also lead to conflict, rumors and complaints in the workplace. Moreover, workplace negativity can result in litigation if it degenerates into harassment. Besides, it drains the energy of the workplace and diverts the attention of the employees from achieving their goals.
To combat workplace negativity, employers should have a written code of conduct. The code should be as clear and inclusive as possible. This will prevent employees from feeling left out and frustrated, and improves the working environment.